WATCH: PCB should boycott Champions Trophy before BCCI does, Rashid Latif makes a bold statement

The fate of the tournament currently hangs in balance, given the stand-off between the BCCI and PCB.

Former wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif recently made a bold comment regarding the 2025 Champions Trophy, suggesting the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to boycott the ICC tournament before its Indian counterpart -- BCCI -- takes any further step.

According to Latif, such a move would send a strong message to the cricketing fraternity about fair play and equality.

Notably, the fate of the tournament currently hangs in balance, given the stand-off between the cricket boards of India and Pakistan over the hybrid model.

PCB, the designated hosts for the marquee event, has reportedly demanded a written assurance from the ICC on the hybrid model for future global tournaments after the BCCI communicated to the apex body that the Indian team will not travel across the border abiding by the policy of its government.

"Pakistan should boycott the Champions Trophy now. Before the BCCI takes this step, PCB should take it. Champions Trophy shouldn’t happen anymore,” Latif said while speaking at an event.

"We have always been made scapegoats, be it Afghan war or cricket. PCB, ACB and ICC are the same as they can't fight against the BCCI. They have got the chance to push Pakistan at the front. We have joined hands and are fighting against it, but the only fear is that if India boycotts, where do we stand," he further remarked.

The cricketing ties between India and Pakistan have been fraught with political and security issues since the 2008 Mumbai terror attack.

While the arch-rivals last played a limited-overs series in 2012, their last meeting in Tests was way back in 2007. In this period, they've only clashed in multi-nation tournaments such as the World Cup and the Asia Cup.

Pakistan hosted the Asia Cup last year but India played all of their matches in Sri Lanka under the hybrid model.

As per the tentative schedule, the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 is slated to be played from February 19 to March 9. In case of the hybrid model, India will play their matches in the UAE while the rest of the games will be held in Pakistan. The Men in Blue will also play the semifinal and final in the UAE, if they manage to qualify.

The high-octane India versus Pakistan clash is expected to be held at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on March 1.